Library staff will checkout your item(s) and deliver them to the trunk or rear of your vehicle

​May 8, 2020

Beginning 8:00 a.m., Saturday, May 9 book drops will be open to the public at all Phoenix Public Library locations except South Mountain Community Library. Due to COVID-19 safety measures, customers may experience a 3-5 day delay before returns are reflected their accounts. We appreciate your patience as we implement this new service model. For more information please visit our website or call 602-262-4636 between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F. Check back often for further service updates.

​May 1, 2020

Hello Phoenix Public Library Community,

I hope this finds you well; especially as our temperatures are now in the triple digits and we are officially headed into another Phoenix summer. I would like to again extend Phoenix Public Library’s thanks for your support and continued patience as we work through the ongoing effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Arizona Governor Ducey announced this week that Arizona’s “Stay home, Stay healthy, Stay connected” executive order will be extended until May 15th. Even with some limited loosening of the restrictions on the operation of nonessential businesses, Phoenix Public Library’s current status is that our book drops and locations will remain closed to in-person services. The health and safety of our visitors and staff is our highest priority and we are working with City of Phoenix leadership on plans for a phased return to normal provision of city services when that is determined to be safe.

Thank you and stay safe,

Rita Hamilton

Phoenix City Librarian

​April 2, 2020

These remain challenging times and as we all adjust to living physically distant and replacing regular outings with digital resources and virtual access, we want to assure you Phoenix Public Library staff are working hard to keep you connected with your library services. We continue to add online materials, expand access, and extend the length of time you can stream content.

While we remain closed to in-person library services we are exploring ways in which to continue to utilize our talented staff, regularly adding virtual and online options for you. Read more below to discover how many of our online offerings are expanding. Visit us on our website regularly for updated online programing and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected with us.

Storytimes Online

It's storytime... from the comfort of your own home! Watch fun people read fun stories!Included also on this page is fun, educational content to keep your children engaged, entertained, and learning.

Ask Us/Call Center

Even though at this time we are not able to provide assistance in person, that doesn’t mean our personal service isn’t available for you! Phoenix Public Library’s Call Center and online “Ask a Librarian” remain available to assist in your accessing our resources and digital services. “Ask a Librarian” (online) and our Call Center are staffed Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Dial 602-262-4636 to speak with library staff or visit on our Ask Us page on phoenixpubliclibrary.org.﻿

College Depot Services

In ordinary times, planning for continuing education and deciding which options fit best can be a lot to handle. With “a new normal” presenting itself almost daily, planning for achieving more education shouldn’t stop. College Depot at Phoenix Public Library is still available to help students and families navigate this new world through one-on-one appointments.

Whether it is learning how to achieve a high school diploma through College Depot’s Career Online High School or exploring college options with college guidance experts, Phoenix Public Library is proud be able to continue to offer assistance with college planning, help with financial aid forms and scholarship applications through phone appointments. To schedule a remote appointment call 602-261-8847 or visit College Depot on phoenixpubliclibrary.org.

eLibrary

During the temporary closure of our buildings, you can still download ebooks, audio books, magazines, newspapers, music, movies, and so much more to your phone, tablet or computer.

In the past two weeks we have been able to expand access to some of our eResources such as:

Ancestry – Normally, this popular resource is only available to our customers while visiting us in one of our 17 locations. We are pleased to announce Ancestry is now available remotely to Phoenix Public Library customers through April, 2020.

Freegal – a music download and streaming service that offers access to 16 million+ songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists. Each Phoenix Public Library cardholder now has access to unlimited streaming (up from 3 hours of streaming a day) through the end of September.

Greater Phoenix Digital Library (Overdrive) – Be sure to visit the “Always Available” section (you can see it at the top of the screen) to find something in our growing collection of Always Available/Simultaneous use eBooks, Audiobooks, and magazines.

Hoopla – explore Hoopla for music streaming, eBooks, Audiobooks, movie streaming and more. Take advantage of the recently added “Hoopla Bonus Borrows”, more material you can access that will not count towards your monthly borrow allotment (ordinarily 10 Hoopla items per month).

March 16, 2020

Hello Phoenix Public Library Community-

First, I want to thank you for your understanding as we work diligently to keep up on a situation that is changing hourly, if not minute by minute. Second, I want to thank you again for your patience and support as we continue to adjust our service to you.

Late last week we announced that we were cancelling all programing in an effort to keep our communities and residents safe from the Coronavirus-19 pandemic. By now, I am sure you have seen the announcement that effective Monday, March 16, 2020 all Phoenix Public Library locations and book drops are temporarily closed, until further notice. Effective immediately, and until further notice, we are also extending our materials borrowing time. For those of you that have Phoenix Public Library materials checked out, please continue to enjoy them and keep them until further notice. During this time we will not allow new hold requests and you will not be able to pick up currently held items - they will remain on the hold shelf waiting for you when we reopen.

As we work through adjusting our system, please disregard any Library Account reminder notices you may still be receiving. And remember our "All Fines Forgiven" policy, launched in November of 2019, means we are a fine-free library system!

This is an unprecedented time for all of us. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones, and know that we are looking forward to welcoming each and every one of you back into our spaces when this situation stabilizes. We will continue to provide updates and information and you can always find Phoenix Public Library resources and messages on Phoenix Public Library's website.

Rita Hamilton Phoenix City Librarian

March 15, 2020

At Phoenix Public Library, we feel as though everyone that depends on "the library" is part of our family. Whether you look to us for a special book…internet access to stay connected…teaching your child to read…planning for college…launching a business…or just finding a place to be…you feel like family to us. And keeping our family healthy and safe is our highest priority. As many of you are aware, Phoenix Public Library has been closely monitoring the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and working in lockstep with City, County and State officials.

Effective Monday, March 16, all Phoenix Public Library locations and book drops will be temporarily closed. We are extending our borrowing period and waiving all due dates until further notice. Thank you for your patience during this unprecedented time and check back frequently for more details.

I want to remind you of the thousands of resources available at phoenixpubliclibrary.org and we are making the following changes to several of our services so that you may have library resources at your fingertips and from the comfort of your home:

We are in the process of extending the loan period for all Phoenix Public Library physical materials, including all special collections such as Best Picks, books, CDs, and DVDs, from a three-week to a 2-month loan period. This will remain in effect until further notice.

College Depot will make one on one appointments with College Guidance Counselors available by phone.

Please stay healthy and be sure to utilize all we have to offer online and check for regular updates from Phoenix Public Library.

Thank you,

Rita HamiltonPhoenix City Librarian

​As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to make headlines and cause concern throughout our communities, the safety of our customers, visitors and employees is of primary importance. Public Health officials in Maricopa County and Arizona are closely monitoring the coronavirus and are keeping all public agencies and facilities updated.

Phoenix Public Library is being extra vigilant about the cleanliness of our facilities and programs and are following the precautions issued by county, state and federal officials including: increasing how often frequently touched surfaces are cleaned throughout the day; and have made more disinfecting products available throughout our system. We encourage our guests and visitors to follow recommended hygiene practices; such as following proper hand-washing procedures and covering mouths when coughing and/or sneezing.

Be sure to use the links and resources provided to get your information from a credible source:

Let's work together to keep our libraries healthy and please feel welcome to continue to use your library resources, both within one of our 17 locations and online.